CENTRAL ASIAN ANTHEMS – International Launch

8 May 2025 – A milestone in the international „Drumul Mătăsii” tour undertaken by the Madrigal Choir in Kazakhstan: the official launch of the album „Imnurile naționale ale statelor din Asia Centrală”, part of the international „Madrigal: Anthems of the World” series.

The recording project „Imnurile naționale ale statelor din Asia Centrală” brings together, for the first time, choral arrangements of the national anthems of Romania, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in a unique artistic endeavour celebrating mutual respect between cultures and the power of music to build bridges between identities.

The album was presented at a concert by the Madrigal Choir, conducted by Anna Ungureanu, in the symbolic setting of the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Astana, in the presence of officials, the local cultural community and the Romanian community in Kazakhstan. In the same venue, the Madrigal Choir also made a special film of the European anthem – Odă bucuriei, released on 9 June to mark Europe Day.

The event was introduced by a speech by Emil Pantelimon, manager of the Madrigal Choir, which we reproduce below.

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❝ Your Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends in Kazakhstan,

Since its foundation in 1963, the National Chamber Choir „Madrigal – Marin Constantin” has been a vehicle for genuine cultural diplomacy. From the very beginning, our institution understood that music of the highest quality could help shape relations between states with greater ease and openness. Throughout its history, this choir has captivated figures at the very highest level: Margaret Thatcher, Golda Mayer, Charles de Gaulle and Richard Nixon are just a few of them.

Key international institutions have also shaped their policies towards Romania in the context of Madrigal’s cultural diplomacy. I refer here to the United Nations, UNESCO and UNICEF.

In 1969, at UN headquarters in New York, Madrigal succeeded in breaking down communication barriers between Romania at that time and the UN, thanks to its performances and the impression it made on the then Secretary-General, Mr U Thant. In 2016, at UN headquarters in Geneva, the Choir was named an Ambassador of Freedom, Hope and Peace, receiving the Jean Nusbaum and Eleonor Roosvelt Award.

Marin Constantin, our founder, whose centenary we are celebrating this year, is the only Romanian in history to have received the title of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, in 1992. In 1968, the Madrigal Choir received the UNICEF Medal.

Through work, talent and sacrifice, Madrigal has thus elevated its sound into a diplomatic instrument at the highest level.

Five years ago, wishing to honour the representatives accredited in Bucharest of states where Madrigal had toured, we began a programme through which we present them with recordings of their national anthems as gifts.

The initiative was a great success, and two years ago we launched an album of the anthems of Latin American states in Lima, followed last year by an album of the anthems of EU member states at the House of Europe in Brussels.

The friendship between Romania and Kazakhstan, and our presence on this extraordinary „Drumul Mătăsii” tour, call on us to show our respect for this beautiful country and for all our partners in Central Asia, both bilaterally and as a region.

Today, we are launching the album of national anthems from Central Asia. From now on, they are also available online, and we are delighted to present this album to the Republic of Kazakhstan and its institutions, as well as to Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and their institutions.

What more profound gesture of friendship, what clearer sign of absolute respect and what more effective act of diplomatic courtesy could there be than performing, for those you address, the song closest to the hearts of their people?

Your Excellencies,

ladies and gentlemen,

We hope you enjoy listening! As you will discover, Romania’s Madrigal, led by Anna Ungureanu, is the most beautiful, sensitive and welcoming cultural offering, building cultural bridges between nations, between continents, between Asia and Europe, through Kazakhstan! ❞

Emil Pantelimon, manager of the National Chamber Choir „Madrigal – Marin Constantin”

8 May 2025, Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Astana

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The „Madrigal: Drumul Mătăsii” tour was organised by the National Chamber Choir „Madrigal – Marin Constantin” and the Ministry of Culture, with significant support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Romanian Cultural Institute and the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as sponsors Rompetrol, EnergoBit and GRAMPET Group and partners SoundFeed, STRATULAT ALBULESCU Attorneys at Law, ⁠Warner Bros.Discovery.

Main partner: Rompetrol (KMG International)